Richie Cannata

Who is Richie Cannata?

Richie Cannata is an American music producer, multi-instrumentalist and studio owner. He is most notable for playing saxophone in the Billy Joel band alongside Doug Stegmeyer and Liberty DeVitto. After leaving the band in 1981, he opened Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York. Artists including Celine Dion, Billy Joel, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have recorded in Cannata's studio.

Cannata played in Tommy Shaw's band in the mid-80s, performing on Shaw's first three solo albums.

In the mid-1990s Cannata toured with The Beach Boys, playing saxophone, woodwinds and synthesizers. In 2006, Cannata returned with Joel, most notably for the record-setting 12-show run at Madison Square Garden.